Frequently Asked Questions
Considering the new in-person model for submitting visa applications for Portugal, and in order to clarify matters for all applicants, we provide below answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the appointment system with VFS Global, which will come into effect on April 17, 2026.
Visa applicants may choose to be assisted at one of the 10 centers available in Brazil, for greater convenience: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Belém do Pará, Fortaleza, Recife, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre.
The innovative appointment system at VFS Global, using facial recognition, strengthens security guarantees and improves access to appointment slots for all applicants.
Portugal remains committed to offering, in Brazil, a consular service focused on quality and user satisfaction, ensuring faster processing of visa applications within legally established deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
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From April 17, 2026, must all visa applications for Portugal submitted in Brazil be made in person?
Yes. It will no longer be possible to submit visa applications by mail; the process will become exclusively in-person.
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Where can visa applications for Portugal be submitted in Brazil?
At VFS Global. Visa applications must be submitted exclusively by applicants at a VFS Global visa application center of their choice in one of the following Brazilian cities: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Belém do Pará, Fortaleza, Recife, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre.
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How can appointments be scheduled with VFS Global?
Appointments must be scheduled by visa applicants using the appointment platform with facial recognition, available from April 17, 2026, on the VFS Global website, where all necessary information can be found: https://www.vfsglobal.com/portugal/brazil/
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Will visa applications submitted by mail until April 17 be considered and processed?
Yes. Visa applications sent by mail up to April 17 will be accepted and subsequently processed, even if received at VFS Global facilities after that date.
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What happens to visa applications sent by mail after April 17?
Visa applications sent by mail after April 17 will be returned to applicants and will not be considered.
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Can appointments with VFS Global be scheduled by a lawyer?
No. Appointments must be scheduled by the applicant themselves, using the new facial recognition system, which enhances security, transparency, and access to appointment slots.
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Can visa applications be submitted by a lawyer, provided the applicant has a prior appointment with VFS Global?
Yes. Visa applications may be submitted by a lawyer, provided the applicant has made a prior appointment and the lawyer presents:
i) a power of attorney for this purpose; and
ii) a copy of the lawyer’s professional identification card or a declaration issued by the competent authority confirming their eligibility to practice law in Brazil.
However, submitting visa applications through a lawyer is not permitted for short-stay (Schengen) visas, as these require the applicant’s in-person biometric data collection.
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Is it possible to make a single appointment with VFS Global for the whole family?
Yes. A primary applicant/adult may schedule an appointment with VFS Global using facial recognition, adding family members who also intend to submit their visa applications in person. Minor children under the age of 16 are not required to do so. Please note that VFS will only accept applicants added to the primary request who are actually traveling with and as dependents of the main applicant
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Is the presence of minor applicants mandatory when submitting a visa application?
No. Children up to 15 years old are not required to be present at VFS Global centers, provided they are represented by their parents. If one parent is not present, a notarized authorization signed by the absent parent must be provided, expressly allowing the submission of the minor’s visa application. Applicants aged 16 and over must be present in person to submit their visa applications.
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Does authorization to submit a minor’s visa application at VFS Global replace parental travel authorization?
No. Authorization to submit a minor’s visa application does not replace the requirement to present parental travel authorization if one or both parents are not accompanying the minor on that or other international trips.
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If my visa application is incomplete on the day of the in-person submission at VFS Global, do I need to reschedule a new appointment?
No. If the application is incomplete at the time of submission, there is no need to reschedule. Upon signing a commitment term, the applicant will have 5 working days to provide the missing documents to VFS Global, either digitally or physically (originals), depending on the document type. After this 5-day period, the application will be processed as it stands.
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Where can I find more information about visa applications for Portugal?
Applicants should consult only official and reliable sources for information, including details about required documents, to ensure their applications are complete and ready for processing. Recommended sources include:
Visa Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Official portal and social media of the Embassy of Portugal in Brazil:
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What are the contact details for AIMA and the border authorities?
Please find below the contact information and useful links for the entities responsible for managing foreign citizens and border control in Portugal. These contacts cover matters regarding entry, exit, transit, and stay in Portugal, as well as the documentation required at the border and other related topics:
AIMA Contacts:
• https://aima.gov.pt/pt/perguntas-frequentes-faq-s
• https://aima.gov.pt/pt/lojas-aima
• https://aima.gov.pt/pt/a-aima/perguntas-frequentes-faqs
Border/Airport:
• https://www.aeroportolisboa.pt/pt/lis/guia-do-passageiro/o-que-preciso-de-saber/contactos-uteis
Customs
Email: aalisboa-daahd@at.gov.pt
Phone: +351 218 408 075
Location: Arrivals
Public Security Police – Border Control
Border control at the airport is the responsibility of the Public Security Police.
Email: sopdsa.lisboa@psp.pt
Location: Border Control – Arrivals